Both prized and fought over by other nations for its spices, the three islands of Maluku (the Moluccas) foster an astonishingly diverse assortment of musical genres. Here are intricate pieces for strings ("Mares"), a Jew's harp solo ("Tigertama"), a melodic, deeply grooving gong ensemble showcase ("Ranafafan"), a rowing song for children's choir ("Marin Uib"), and elaborate vocal and percussion music for a Muslim ritual ("Dzikir Samman"). Not strictly for entertainment or religious purposes, musicians in Maluku use these songs for recounting their history and asserting territorial boundaries. Part of a "monumental and enjoyable series" (New York Times), this disc documents music from the Indonesian archipelago, introducing dozens of beautiful and varied musical styles from throughout this complex island nation. As usual with Smithsonian Folkways, the quality of the field recordings is excellent, and the enclosed booklet includes extensive commentary, placing the performances in their regional and national contexts.